Athlone "not being considered for new IPAS centre"

The four Athlone councillors who brought a successful court challenge against a hugely controversial International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in Lissywollen say they've been given "clear and unambiguous" assurances that the town is not being considered for a new IPAS centre.

Their statement was issued today (Friday) in the aftermath of a meeting involving two of the councillors, Frankie Keena and Aengus O'Rourke, with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan last weekend.

The councillors said that in their talks with the Minister they "raised concerns about the future of the Lissywollen site and the possibility that Athlone could once again be targeted for a large-scale IPAS accommodation centre".

They said the Minister responded by "stating clearly that he has no plans whatsoever to open an IPAS centre in Athlone, and, furthermore, that he has no intention of opening any new IPAS centres nationally".

This echoes comments made last month by Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran who told the Westmeath Independent that "Athlone is not being considered at this time (for a new IPAS centre), and I've been assured of that."

There have been conflicting signals about the future of the Athlone site in recent times, with a recent report in The Irish Mail on Sunday stating that the Athlone site was one of seven currently under consideration for future use as State-owned accommodation centres.

A Department of Justice spokesperson also told the Westmeath Independent that "legislation is being developed to support updated planning arrangements for (the Athlone IPAS site) and other State-owned sites."

However, today's statement issued on behalf of councillors O'Rourke, Keena, John Dolan, and Paul Hogan, indicated they were now fully satisfied that a new Athlone IPAS centre was off the table.

With their High Court challenge, the four councillors secured a judicial order quashing the statutory instrument that was used by the Government to bypass standard planning process and set up the IPAS centre in Athlone in the autumn of 2024.

The centre had been due to provide temporary accommodation to up to 1,000 male asylum seekers (formally known as international protection applicants) but the facilities on site were dismantled, and all of the remaining residents relocated, last year.

Welcoming the assurances from the Justice Minister, the four councillor said: "This is extremely positive news for Athlone. The Minister’s confirmation is clear, direct and leaves no ambiguity - Athlone is not on the radar for a new IPAS centre.

"This reassurance has not come about by accident. It is the direct result of our determination and persistence through a bruising, year-long battle against the Government in the High Court. The case was fought 'tooth and nail' by the Government.

"We took that case because we believed no Government should be allowed to ignore local communities, sidestep planning laws, and impose developments of this scale without proper process or consultation.

"The people of Athlone stood with us throughout that battle, and today’s confirmation from the Minister shows that standing firm was the right thing to do."

The councillors added that their focus was now on ensuring the full reinstatement of the OPW-owned land that had been used for the centre in Lissywollen.

They said that, although the accommodation structures have been removed, "substantial reminders of the former IPAS centre" remain on site, including hard standing areas, underground pipework, drainage systems, water and power ducting, fencing, temporary roadways, and substantial earthworks.

The councillors said they were now calling on, and working with, Westmeath County Council to ensure that the lands are fully restored to their original condition, adding that enforcement action may follow if necessary.

"The development that took place at Lissywollen has been deemed unlawful. It is not enough to simply remove the tents, the structures and walk away.

"The land must be properly reinstated. The people of Athlone deserve to see this site restored fully, not left scarred by an illegal development," the councillors' statement said.

"Our work is not finished. We will continue to ensure accountability, proper enforcement, and that the interests of Athlone are protected at every stage."